International Heritage Dispute: Reason behind Sepp Schellhorn's Involvement - and Stirring Up Frustration
Sneaky Slippery Slope
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Sepp Schellhorn, the Neos' Deregulation State Secretary, found himself in hot water in his early days in office when he faced heat over his wishes regarding his official car and an ill-judged NS victim comparison. Yet, he's managed to steer clear of any major scandals since then. However, the talkative Schellhorn stirred quite a storm recently on a whole new battleground, far from the political scene in Vienna.
Being responsible for foreign culture and UNESCO, Schellhorn made a "courtesy visit" to the UN organization in Paris. The agenda included the controversial Heumarkt project, which has earned Vienna a spot on the red list of endangered World Heritage sites since 2017. Schellhorn aimed to nip the international embarrassment in the bud and bring Vienna back from the brink.
"Vienna needs to retain its World Heritage status but should be able to grow and adapt to modern times," Schellhorn shared after his talks with UNESCO Vice-General Ernesto Ottone and Heritage Director Lazare Assomo. The solution, according to him, lies in collaborating with all stakeholders.
Though seemingly harmless, Schellhorn's pursuit of a consensus on the Heumarkt project has caught flak from high-ranking figures in politics, culture, and monument protection. The criticism ranged from "highly problematic" to "too pro-investor." Critics also voiced concerns that the "help" Schellhorn is extending to the turquoise-green-pink coalition in Vienna amounts to breach of trust. Worse yet, Schellhorn allegedly threatens to stumble on the slick surface of diplomacy.
Critics argue that Vienna is treading a fine line. The city has been on the red list for years, and there's a well-established procedure involving annual reports, expert missions, assessments, and the World Heritage Committee meetings to decide on the site's fate. By intervening as a politician, Vienna runs the risk of undermining its cultural diplomatic standing. Meanwhile, others insist that continuous concessions put Vienna on the right track towards resolving the issue.
In Schellhorn's own words, the recognition in Paris that there was a high-level meeting between the federal government and UNESCO after almost a decade was a step forward. He brushes off the criticism by stating that inaction would invite accusations of inactivity. He's making the rounds to all relevant parties, trying to mediate a compromise.
As for the content, there's nothing new to report. The proposed tower in the Heumarkt project, the epicenter of the controversy, still is too tall for UNESCO's liking. Michael Tojner's high-rise development has yet to receive Schellhorn's approval. Schellhorn admits that he hasn't yet engaged with the investor but emphasizes the importance of understanding the project. His stance on the project might not be public, but he's quick to point out that it is irrelevant at the moment.
The Neos' shift on the Heumarkt project—once vehemently opposed by the then-head of the Vienna Neos, Beate Meinl-Reisinger—could raise eyebrows. As a staunch opponent of the luxury residential tower, Meinl-Reisinger even demanded a referendum. Schellhorn too, back in 2019, advocated for citizen involvement in the Heumarkt project. However, the Vienna Neos performed a U-turn on this in 2024 by voting against an environmental impact assessment and, consequently, people's participation.
The move was coordinated within the coalition, Schellhorn insists. The UNESCO heritage management, under Minister Ruth Prockl's purview, is part of the Culture Ministry. Nevertheless, there's no intention of causing a coalition crisis, and Schellhorn is "allowed to do this once."
In other news, Ernst Woller, former Landtag President, is set to extend his time in office as Vienna's Heritage Commissioner, even after his announced retirement. The Mayor, Michael Ludwig, confirmed Woller would continue to serve as the competent advisor on this important issue, despite the Vienna Ball in Manila.
What is the stance of Sepp Schellhorn, the Neos' Deregulation State Secretary, regarding the Heumarkt project and its potential impact on Vienna's World Heritage status, particularly in the context of policy-and-legislation and politics?
Critics argue that Sepp Schellhorn's pursuit of a consensus on the Heumarkt project, including his recent diplomatic visit to UNESCO in Paris, might be either too pro-investor or breach trust, potentially threatening Vienna's cultural diplomatic standing and general-news reputation.
